On Saturday we had our first regatta with the big genoa and symmetrical spinnaker, competing against a group of big boats including — in order of magnitude Sabotage (Viper 830), Starry Night (J44), Eclipse (41 feet), Code Secret (J35) and us.
It was a hot hot day, with strong sun beating down on us, made more intense by a very light breeze that changed direction  throughout the afternoon: the first race was set heading upwind toward the west, the second race had windward to the east, and the third race was southeast.
We got the spinnaker up and around and down without a hitch. Â In fact, our hoists were flawless (see especially hoist #2), and I would say we have now figured this out. Â Especially impressive with Fairlead and Lindsay on the foredeck — first time up there for both with the spinnaker pole.
But the highlight of the day was the hat trick. Â On the first downwind leg of the first race, Nonsuch knocked is very new Tilley hat into the water. Â Such a shame, such a nice hat, what a loss. Â But on our second downwind leg of that race (about half an hour later), at about the same spot, we started to think about Mark’s hat again, and lo and behold, there it was, floating in the water a wee bit ahead and a wee bit to port. Â A big hustle on board, and a slight change of course, and Nonsuch was re-united with his hat! (and the $20 inside, unless that was a finder’s fee :-))
How did we fair against such stiff competition in such flukey wind? Â We managed to finish each race ahead of someone (2x Eclipse, 1x Code Secret), and even gave Starry Night a bit of a run for their money on the first race with the lightest wind.
Looking forward to our next regatta — fresh air, good company, great snacks and lots of laughs. Just a bit less heat and a bit more wind, please!